Raise Your Intelligence by Firing Off Your Neurons
Brain cells are nerve cells called neurons. The neuron is usually composed of one axon and many dendrites. When a neuron receives input or information from the five senses, it starts sending out information. The axon sends the information while the dendrites of other cells receive the information. What the neuron does is fire off an electrical or chemical signal. Usually, there is a small gap between an axon and dendrites of other cells called a synapse. Neurons must find a function or they will die off. These firings help the neuron find a function, thereby insuring the cell will live and develop.
Connecting Brain Cells Form Intelligent Networks
The most important quote in neuroscience to date:
Neurons that fire together, wire together.
Neurons or brain cells can be connected and turned into networks. This is important because these networks can be specialized to grow different types of intelligence. So if you write poetry, you will grow specialized networks that support linguistic intelligence. If you study architecture, you will develop specialized spatial networks.
How do neuroscientists know this happens? Thanks to new brain scanning devices, they can “see” and map what is happening in the brain as a person learns and uses information. In one instance, they were able to map the neural networks of a professional violinist. Her networks that controlled hand movement were twice the size of a normal person’s. She had developed a specialized network that reinforced her skill of playing a violin. No doubt she had other networks that were built to accommodate her musical intelligence.
This is why neuroscientists now say that the brain has plasticity. You can customize your intelligence in areas that interest you or areas you want to strengthen.
Thus brain cells are important because they become specialized, building intelligent networks. The brain becomes more intelligent not because it grows bigger, but because more cells form connections with other cells. In essence, the brain grows denser.
Raising Your Intelligence
How do you raise your intelligence? First, decide which intelligence or intelligences you want to raise. Is it linguistic, mathematical/logical, spatial, musical, kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, or naturalistic? Once you choose, work your brain in these areas. To truly raise your intelligence always remember:
Neurons that fire together, wire together.